[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE MEDICARE CHOLESTEROL SCREENING COVERAGE ACT OF 2001

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Medicare Cholesterol 
Screening Coverage Act of 2001.
  Most Americans know that too much cholesterol in their diet is 
harmful. Many Americans might not realize, however, that cholesterol 
levels are the number one indicators of their risk of heart disease. 
With one simple blood test every five years, doctors can quickly 
uncover and track a person's risk. This is why the federal government, 
doctors, health groups like the American Heart Association, and many 
other science based groups and studies agree--Americans should have 
their cholesterol checked by their doctor to prevent heart disease in 
their future.
  It is interesting--two major federal guidelines on cholesterol 
screening were updated in May of this year by the National Heart Lung 
and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health, and 
by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. Both agencies, 
recommendations agree, stating that every American over the age of 
twenty should have their cholesterol levels tested every five years.
  But read further in the guidelines, and you find the really good news 
for seniors. While the former federal guidelines on cholesterol 
screening had suggested that those over 75 do not need to be tested, 
the most recent guidelines threw that upper age limit out the window. 
We now know that seniors with high cholesterol can be effectively 
treated for this disorder and consequently lower their risk of damaging 
heart disease. For many, treatment can be as simple as adjusting your 
diet and increasing levels of physical activity.
  While Congress looks at ways to update the Medicare System, we must 
also take every opportunity to make the Medicare program better for 
seniors--and this is one such opportunity. My bill immediately benefits 
seniors in Medicare by providing a new benefit that will save lives and 
reduce disability from heart disease and stroke.
  The Medicare Cholesterol Screening Coverage Act of 2001 will add 
coverage of preventive cholesterol screenings to all seniors in the 
Medicare Program. It seems counter intuitive that the two-thirds of the 
Medicare beneficiaries currently eligible for cholesterol screening are 
those who have already been struck with a cardiovascular illness or 
other lipid-related diseases. Congress needs to make the Medicare 
program a more forward thinking program, and this bill is a huge step 
in that direction. While we have taken steps like this in the past, we 
have done little to prevent the number one cause of death in the United 
States--heart disease.
  The numbers are staggering regarding heart disease. Each year, more 
than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half a million 
people die from heart disease. In addition, coronary heart disease 
accounts for nearly half of the total mortality of Americans over 65.
  Regretfully heart attack and stroke victims aren't always given a 
second chance to lower cholesterol levels. Thus the first step in 
saving lives must be to identify those in need of treatment. This can 
only be accomplished by regular cholesterol and blood lipid screening.
  By passing this bill, Congress will be helping to provide Americans 
with the knowledge they need to live longer, healthier and happier 
lives. As Congress considers further improvements to the Medicare 
program, I urge my colleagues to support this important effort.

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